While hearing a public interest petition, seeking direction for better education for children in schools, the court had observed: 'Why make a mockery of the education without providing basic amenities to the children?'

By IANS, [RxPG] New Delhi, March 28 - The Delhi High Court Wednesday directed the central and Delhi governments to release requisite funds to improve the quality of education in more than 1,900 primary schools established by municipal authorities in the capital.

A division bench of Chief Justice M.K. Sarma and Justice Sanjiv Khanna said the centre and the state government should not hesitate in releasing funds to make the Municipal Corporation of Delhi --run schools impart quality education.

The court asked the authorities to implement the suggestions in the report of the committee constituted to find ways of improving primary education in government schools.

Adjourning the matter till July 25, the court asked the MCD to file an action taken report - in this regard.

Refuting the charges that the authorities were closing down schools, the MCD submitted that many of the evening shift schools had been merged with the day schools.

The MCD runs about 1,900 primary schools, with more than 955,000 students up to the fifth standard. The students are then shifted to high schools run by the Delhi government.

Following a court direction, the authorities submitted a concrete plan to improve the infrastructure and manpower of the MCD schools.

The bench had earlier banned opening of any new government schools without first providing basic amenities such as concrete buildings, urinals, potable water and hygienic atmosphere.

While hearing a public interest petition, seeking direction for better education for children in schools, the court had observed: 'Why make a mockery of the education without providing basic amenities to the children?'

The Education Department officials should be sensitised for providing congenial atmosphere in the schools where millions of students were getting education, the court said.